Lady Cats Defeat Hart County In Home Opener

Edmonson Improves to 2-2 On Season

8th year senior Emma Woodcock sets a ball against Hart County.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Edmonson County Volleyball improved to 2-2 on the season after defeating Hart County in their home opener last night. The squeaks of athletic shoes were a bit crisper as the contest was the first on the brand new gym floor surface; it was also senior night for three Lady Cat team members. The festivities were moved up in the season as a result of uncertainties around the 2020 sports season amid the virus pandemic.

Senior Abbie Slaughter passes the ball against Hart County.

Set one started slowly for each team; neither gaining much of a lead throughout the first half of the set. Hart County took a 13-11 lead but Edmonson County went on an impressive 12-0 run that put the set out of reach for the Lady Raiders. Hart County called a timeout, trailing 13-17 but Edmonson County poured it on and scored the next 6 points. The Lady Cats took set one, 25-15. 

Set two saw Edmonson continue their momentum from the previous set with an early lead, but Hart battled back and tied the score at 6-6. They went on a 5-1 run over the Lady Cats, which prompted an Edmonson timeout. The Lady Cats struggled with consistency but a 4-point run forced Hart into a timeout at 17-15. Edmonson cut the lead to 17-16 but Hart County finished the set on an 8-4 run to rally over the Lady Cats 25-20 for the set.

Senior Madalyn Conder watches the ball after a pass against Hart County.

Set three was a game of that saw both teams shift momentum back and forth with Edmonson taking an early 6-2 lead. They kept a 4/5 point until Hart County fought back with an 8-1 run that gave Hart County a 13-12 lead. No timeout was called but the Lady Cats were able to hold the Lady Raiders back until a 16-16 tie. However, a solid 9-3 run down the stretch was enough to create some space over Hart County and hold them off for the 25-19 set win and the game, 2-1.

Other notes: Senior Emma Woodcock is starting her 8th season as part of Lady Cat Volleyball. Coaching staff said she began working out with the ECHS team as a 5th grader. Sophomore starter Alyssa Doyle is currently out of the lineup due to an ankle injury suffered at Grayson County last week where Edmonson lost 3-0. No timetable has been set for her return. She did not play in the All A tournament on Saturday at Trinity High School, where the Lady Cats fell to Trinity in two sets.

Edmonson County is scheduled to travel to Russellville on Thursday for a V/JV game with varsity beginning at 6pm.